Cultivating confident and curious learners

2013

Blogs have become one of the most powerful ways for parents to share and connect with one another online. Whether you’re looking for information, entertainment, or a little bit of both, here are some of our favorite parent blogs to follow. 1. Most likely to inspire you: Enjoying the Small Things – With a knack for writing and an eye for photography, Kelle Hampton blogs about loving and living with five kids in Naples, FL. She writes with honesty and optimism on everything from DIY holiday crafts to raising a daughter with special needs.

Are you looking for some quick math and language arts review? Would you like to demonstrate a concept on the electronic white board with your students? Are you curious about the variety of question types IXL provides? Take advantage of our free practice problems! For anyone who wishes to get a taste of what IXL offers, we’re happy to provide 20 free problems per subject, per day on IXL. See how our SmartScore works and watch as questions adapt based on your responses, becoming easier if you get stuck on a skill and harder as you excel. You can even switch from one topic or grade level to another. To start, simply go to www.ixl.com and pick a skill!

Parents, don’t let Halloween sneak up on you…Avoid the last-minute costume panic and start planning ahead now with these helpful resources! 1. It’s All About the Outfit – What is Halloween all about, if not finding the perfect costume? Spoonful.com offers a wide selection of costumes ideas for girls and boy, from silly to spooky. 2. To Wear or Not to Wear? – It’s safe to say that many of the costumes marketed to young women today aren’t exactly parent-approved. Are they cause for concern, or something to simply put up with for one night a year? This article from Huffington Post explores both sides of the issue. 3. Skip the Sugar Rush – Do your kids bring Halloween candy home by the pillowcase? Avoid the negative effects of too much sugar with these smart tips.

You’re probably familiar with our elementary and middle school math content, but did you know IXL is taking on high school? Students who practice Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 skills on IXL will encounter not only more complex subject matter but also more sophisticated problem types to keep them challenged and engaged in learning.

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Unified School District generated major buzz when they announced a $30-million initiative to put iPads in the hands of each of its 650,000 K-12 students. Last week, they made headlines again when nearly 300 high school students managed to bypass the security restrictions that tracked online activities and prevented students from accessing certain sites.

Practice on IXL is always exciting, but there’s something about that final stretch you just can’t beat. As soon as you reach a SmartScore of 90, you collect your third ribbon and the countdown begins…Welcome to the Challenge Zone! The Challenge Zone, that stretch of questions between 90 and 100, gives students a chance to really show off their stuff. Any score above 90 is excellent, but for those who wish to push even further, hidden prizes and a deeper level of understanding await!

Can you smell the freshly-baked pumpkin bread? Fall is officially here! Share the wonders of this magical season with your students or children. Here are some ideas to get you started: 1. Discover the science behind fall foliage – The warm colors of autumn never fail to delight us, but why do they occur? This science lesson explains how and why leaves change color in the fall and includes four fun activities for students to complete, including a plant-themed word scramble and an experiment that separates colors in a leaf using chromatography.

Are you curious how IXL can create excitement and raise student achievement in your school or district? Let us show you! We now offer live demos, which are like guided tours of IXL customized to your interests. Are you a middle school RTI instructor? An elementary school principal? The Math Department Chair for your high school?

Now that school is in full swing and widespread adoption of the Common Core State Standards is well underway, here are a few resources to help you navigate amid all the buzz. 1. My 10 Greatest A-ha Moments in Working with the Core – 2010 National Teacher of the Year and co-author of the book Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards Sarah Brown Wessling explains how she came to understand the Common Core and what it means for her and her students. She discusses her changed attitude about state standards and shares insights from her journey in this informative and inspiring white paper from the Teaching Channel. 2. Common Core Math Activities – Are you looking for math lesson plans that align to Common Core?

Did you know that, according to a recent study, the mathematics performance for students in IXL math classrooms versus comparison students can correspond to a 5-percentile gain on a standardized test? Last year, IXL Learning partnered with Empirical Education to study the effectiveness of IXL math on 4th and 5th grade students in Beaverton School District in Oregon. The study examined the relationship between being in a classroom where the IXL math program was used and performance on the Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) math test.